Any thoughts of complacency after Redondo’s girls basketball team captured the CIF-Southern Section Division 2AA crown on Saturday were quickly put to rest Wednesday when the Sea Hawks routed visiting San Pedro 71-30 in the first round of the CIF State Regional Division 2 playoffs.
“We were concerned about a let down after winning CIF,” Head Coach Marcelo Enriquez said. “You never know how the kids are going to respond after being on cloud nine. Even when we were up by 20 points in the first half, I felt we still weren’t clicking on all cylinders, especially defensively. The second half they came out and were much more focused.”
Junior guard Mica Enriquez attributes the Sea Hawk’s success to team chemistry.
“We are playing for each other and more as a team right now,” Mica said. “We are very focused.”
Her father and coach concurred after watching Ami Nyingifa lead the team with 18 points and Elise Allison, Kyra Hamlin, Nao Shiota and Nicole Swift each score 10 points in the win.
“The girls are becoming even more believers that they have a really good opportunity here,” Marcelo said. “It just keeps snowballing here in a positive way. We’re excited. Out of our 32 buckets, 25 were assisted which is a good indicator of how unselfish this team is.”
Second-seeded Redondo (25-6) will host No. 7 South Torrance (24-7), a 66-57 winner over Garfield, in a second round contest at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The Sea Hawks scored 11 unanswered point in the first period to gain a 25-10 lead and was up 40-20 at halftime.
“We’ve been growing throughout the season and are peaking right now,” said Hamlin who also grabbed 11 rebounds.
Redondo’s defense limited San Pedro to four points in the third quarter and six in the final frame when non-starters made the most of their opportunity on the court.
A win on Saturday could provide a fourth meeting this season between Redondo and rival Mira Costa.
Third-seeded Mira Costa (25-7) had little trouble defeating visiting Westview 59-31 in the first round and will host Santa Barbara (24-6) at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Allie Navarette led the Mustangs with 13 points while Sabrina Callender-Clewett and Patience Taylor each scored six points in the win.
In Division 1, No. 10 West Torrance (25-7) eliminated No. 7 Edison of Fresno 52-38 and will travel to take on second-seeded Vista Murrieta (23-7) on Saturday.
Second-seeded North Torrance (28-2) hosts No. 7 South Pasadena in the second round of Division 3 action after the Saxons defeated Arvin 77-41 on Wednesday.
In Division 4, Bishop Montgomery (20-13) beat Orosi 67-34 and will play at second-seeded Oaks Christian (24-6) on Saturday.
